The 10 NHL Teams with the Most Trade Bait in the 2014-15 Season

Every NHL team possesses players who could become trade bait to address roster weaknesses. Some carry more depth as bargaining chips than others.

Several of these clubs are aspiring playoff contenders. Some are rebuilding teams, while others could overhaul their rosters if they fall out of the postseason race.

Many of these teams carry potential free agents facing uncertain futures. Some have depth at one position from which they can draw upon to bolster another position.

This ranking examines the players who could be moved and the possible trade destinations. Value of the potential trade candidates, free-agent status and roster needs factored into the compilation of this ranking. 

10. Detroit Red Wings

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Potential trade bait: Centers Darren Helm and Joakim Andersson; defenseman Jakub Kindl.

Why they could be dealt: The Detroit Red Wings lack a top-four defenseman with a right-handed shot. Given their depth at center, they could use Helm or Andersson in a trade package to address that need. Sportsnet590.ca's Greg Brady reports the Red Wings have been actively trying to trade Kindl.

Possible destinations: MLive.com's Ansar Khan claims Buffalo Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers tops the Wings' wish list. The Sabres, however, seek one of the their top prospects (Anthony Mantha or Dylan Larkin) as part of the return. A more affordable option for the Wings could be Edmonton Oilers blueliner Jeff Petry.

9. Dallas Stars

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Potential trade bait: Center Shawn Horcoff; left wing Erik Cole; defenseman Sergei Gonchar; one of their promising young blueliners.

Why they could be dealt: The Dallas Stars lack a right-handed shot on their blue line. Horcoff, Cole and Gonchar will be unrestricted free agents in July and could move on. The Dallas Morning News' Mike Heika believes the Stars are open to acquiring a defenseman or two, but they want it to be the right one for the long term.

Possible destinations: The Stars could be forced to wait until the March 2 trade deadline for the market to open up for Gonchar (currently sidelined with an ankle injury), Horcoff and Cole.

They could try offering Horcoff back to the Edmonton Oilers for right-handed rearguard Jeff Petry or package him to the Washington Capitals for defenseman Mike Green. Potential trade partners, however, could have more interest in young defensemen such as Brenden Dillon, Jamie Oleksiak or Jyrki Jokipakka.

8. Florida Panthers

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Potential trade bait: Forwards Tomas Fleischmann, Scottie Upshall, Tomas Kopecky and Sean Bergenheim; defenseman Brian Campbell.

Why they could be dealt: The Florida Panthers could move out some veterans if they fail to qualify for the playoffs. All but Campbell will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos (via Sportsnet's Mike Johnson) claims the Panthers want to move Campbell, who is signed through 2015-16 at a cap hit of $7.142 million per season. 

Possible destinations: Kypreos claims the Detroit Red Wings are interested in Campbell. Interest in Fleischmann, Upshall, Kopecky and Bergenheim from rival clubs jockeying for playoff contention could improve near the March 2 trade deadline.

7. Philadelphia Flyers

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Potential trade bait: Forwards Brayden Schenn, Matt Read, Michael Raffl and Vincent Lecavalier. 

Why they could be dealt: The Philadelphia Flyers are hurting on the blue line. They've still yet to find a suitable replacement for the all-but-retired Chris Pronger. As per TSN.ca, Kimmo Timonen (blood clots), Braydon Coburn and Andrew MacDonald (lower-body injuries) are sidelined. The Flyers started poorly this season and must bolster their defense to avoid falling further behind in the standings.

Possible destinations: CSNPhilly.com's Sarah Baicker reports there aren't many appealing trade options available. Schenn could interest the Edmonton Oilers, who need a skilled second-line center. Oilers defenseman Jeff Petry, who's eligible for unrestricted free agency in July, could be available.

Other potential trade partners include the Arizona Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers. They possess depth in defensemen and lack scoring punch up front. The Flyers attempted to trade Lecavalier during the summer. They could try again, though they will likely have to pick up part of his remaining contract. 

6. Arizona Coyotes

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Potential trade bait: Center Antoine Vermette; defensemen Keith Yandle, Zbynek Michalek and Brandon Gormley.

Why they could be dealt: The Arizona Coyotes lack scoring depth at forward, sitting in the bottom half of the league in goals per game. Vermette and Michalek are eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer and could decide to test the market. The once-promising Gormley has yet to crack the roster.

Possible destinations: Vermette could interest the Edmonton Oilers, who lack experienced depth at center. The Philadelphia Flyers could use a defensive blueliner like Michalek and have depth in scoring forwards to offer up in return.

With Zdeno Chara sidelined by a knee injury, the Boston Bruins could make use of a puck-moving blueliner like Yandle. The Coyotes might have to pick up part of his salary to interest the cap-strapped Bruins.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs

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Potential trade bait: Center Nazem Kadri; defensemen Jake Gardiner and Cody Franson; goaltender James Reimer.

Why they could be dealt: The Toronto Maple Leafs have missed the playoffs eight of the past nine seasons. Failure to qualify this season could lead to significant roster changes.

The Maple Leafs are among the worst defensive teams in the league. Kadri and Gardiner have yet to reach their potential. Franson is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. Reimer won't unseat Jonathan Bernier as the Leafs starting goalie.

Possible destinations: TSN's Darren Dreger claims the Maple Leafs have interest in Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal. It could cost them Kadri and Gardiner to land a big fish like Staal.

Franson should interest teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings, who could use right-handed defenseman. If the Winnipeg Jets' shaky goaltending fails to improve, they could make a pitch for Reimer.

4. Edmonton Oilers

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Potential trade bait: Forwards Jordan Eberle, Nail Yakupov and David Perron; defenseman Jeff Petry.

Why they could be dealt: The Edmonton Oilers last qualified for the playoffs in 2006. They're off to a slow start this season and lack skilled depth at center. Should they fall out of contention this season, management could be forced to make some changes.

Possible destinations: CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty believes the Boston Bruins should make a pitch for Eberle. TVA Sports' Renaud Lavoie claims teams are interested in Yakupov, though he didn't specify which ones.

The Edmonton Journal's David Staples suggests Perron should be packaged for a center. The Arizona Coyotes and Florida Panthers are in need of scorers. Petry, a right-handed shot, could attract attention from the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars or Detroit Red Wings.

3. Buffalo Sabres

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Potential trade bait: Defensemen Tyler Myers and Andrej Meszaros; forwards Chris Stewart, Drew Stafford and Patrick Kaleta.

Why they could be dealt: The Buffalo Sabres are in the midst of a significant roster rebuild. Stewart, Stafford, Kaleta and Meszaros will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. The Buffalo News' John Vogl cited reports from TSN insiders Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger claiming the Detroit Red Wings are very interested in Myers.

Possible destinations: In addition to the Red Wings, McKenzie also believes the Anaheim Ducks could pursue Myers. NESN.com cited reports from McKenzie and ESPN's Pierre LeBrun claiming the Boston Bruins have interest in Stewart.

With Nathan Horton sidelined by a career-threatening back injury, the Columbus Blue Jackets could give Stewart consideration as Horton's replacement. Kaleta and Meszaros could be moved by the March 2 trade deadline. 

2. Winnipeg Jets

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Potential trade bait: Left wing Evander Kane; winger/defenseman Dustin Byfuglien; winger Michael Frolik; goaltender Peter Budaj.

Why they could be dealt: The Winnipeg Jets are off to a poor start to this season. Should they fail to overcome this early setback, management could be prompted to shake things up.

On June 26, the Winnipeg Sun's Ken Wiebe claimed there was plenty of interest around the league in Kane and Byfuglien. On September 24, Sportsnet.ca's Mark Spector wondered if Kane was happy in Winnipeg. Frolik and Budaj, meanwhile, will be unrestricted free agents in July.

Possible destinations: Wiebe claimed the Philadelphia Flyers had interest in Kane and Byfuglien. However, the cap-strapped Flyers will have to move out considerable salary to absorb the pair's expensive contracts.

Kane is a Vancouver native and could be a good fit with the Canucks. The Arizona Coyotes could also use Kane's offense. Byfuglien's size and right-handed shot could entice the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars or Detroit Red Wings.

1. Carolina Hurricanes

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Potential trade bait: Forwards Eric Staal, Jiri Tlusty and Jay McClement; defensemen Andrej Sekera and Tim Gleason.

Why they could be dealt: Injuries and a poor start have the Carolina Hurricanes floundering in the standings. If they fail to recover in the coming weeks, management could be forced to rebuild.

TSN's Darren Dreger reports the Toronto Maple Leafs expressed interest in Staal during the offseason. He claims they're still interested but that Staal remains committed to the Hurricanes. Sekera, Tlusty, McClement and Gleason are eligible for unrestricted free agency in July and could opt to sign elsewhere. 

Possible destinations: Despite Staal's $8.25 million annual cap hit, his status as a first-line center could make him the most pursued player in this season's trade market. If Staal changes his mind and is willing to waive his no-trade clause, the Maple Leafs could be the top suitors for his services. 

The Hurricanes could wait until the March trade deadline to move any of their pending unrestricted free agents to maximize the return. Sekera and Tlusty could attract the most interest.

Unless otherwise indicated all player and team statistics via NHL.com. All player salary info via CapGeek.com.